FAB-FORM MONOPOUR
MODHOME Developments Uses Fab-Form Monopour Foundations
Steven Thomson, P Eng, Project Manager with Modhome Developments of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories recently used Fab-Form Monopour Foundations under several duplex developments which used modular units.
"Our situation is unique in two ways", said Steven, "first, ground conditions in Yellowknife are granite; and second, we are setting modular units onto our foundations, not site building. This means we need accurate foundations that can accomodate uneven ground conditions."
Site Conditions, Excavation, Pinning
Ground conditions in the Northwest Territories of Canada are solid granite. This means that site preparation is a large and important part of the builder's budget. Conforming to uneven rock is often much cheaper than blasting - the builder's experience plays a big part in cost reduction.
Ready to begin the excavation with John Hoar, Dan McGoey, red seal carpenters, and Steven Thomson, P Eng, Project Manager, on right
This project is located just north of Yellowknife, with a view of Great Slave Lake, the ninth largest lake in North America, 480 km long and 109 km wide
Typical ground conditions around Yellowknife: solid granite with minimal overburden and northern vegetation
Project lot looking west, note granite protruding on the far side with crushed rock overburden on much of the site
Project lot looking east, with crushed rock overburden between the granite protrusion and road
Backhoe operator begins to clear the overburden off the exposed rock
Special teeth in the bucket are designed to minimize wear with the hard granite
Utility lines must be buried deep with insulation above to prevent freezing during the long and cold winters
Contractor drills and epoxies rebar into the exposed granite
Contractor spreads gravel over footing area in preparation for the monopour formwork
Gravel is compacted with a plate tamper, ready for the monopour system
Installing and Pouring Fab-Form Monopour
The crawlspace foundation was 8" in thickness around the perimeter with a 12" stem wall between the two duplex units. The pour went well with no blowouts and perfect wall alignment. Fab-Form dealer for this project was Adam Montonen, Korpack Cement Products, Trail BC.
Perfect pour. Note the contractor
pre-installed blueskin before the pour to provide moisture protection in the rear
where the rock dipped down.
Setting up the monopour components across the front of the two duplexes
View from the interior - a partition between the two units will be set up later
The contractor is beginning to scribe the blocks to accomodate the rock outcrop at the rear
Accomodating the rock outcrop by cutting the base of the blocks
Accomodating the rock outcrop by cutting the base of the blocks
Accomodating the rock outcrop by cutting the base of the blocks
Ready for concrete, ready mix concrete in Yellowknife is $210 a cubic yard
Spray foam was used to fill in the gap between the bottom of the block and the rock face
String lines and Zuckle scaffold alignment braces were used to obtain perfect alignment of the top of wall
Modular Installation
Four modular units were craned onto the crawlspace foundation to make up the two duplex units. For additional information on Modhomes, go to www.modhomedevelopments.com.
Completed duplex. Modhome Developments achieved an Energuide rating of 82, the highest ever achieved in Yellowknife
Foundation is complete, awaiting the arrival of the modular units
View of the completed foundation from the rear of the building lot
One of the four modular units being constructed in the factory in Edmonton
The fourth modular unit is craned into position
The four units have been craned into position, finishing between the units is to be completed
Front porch detailing is modern, attractive and ideal for winter conditons
Interior view of the second floor, showing the kitchen and living areas
Bedroom and bathroom located on the first floor.